*On Friday (09-09-16), Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, Sheryl Swoopes, Tom Izzo and Allen Iverson were enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, it was Iverson’s speech that folks are talking about today. Check out what ESPN had to say about the man and his address to those in the crowd at the event, and those watching on TV.
Only Allen Iverson could deliver a Hall of Fame speech that name-checked ’90s rappers, referenced “Chappelle’s Show” and thanked just about every person he met along his basketball journey.
Only Shaquille O’Neal could follow that act with what amounted to a half-hour comedy routine that needled former coaches and teammates and included a soap opera shout-out.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 lived up to its lofty billing with an epic three-hour induction ceremony Friday night at Springfield’s Symphony Hall, with Iverson and O’Neal stealing the show.
Iverson delivered a captivating 31-minute speech in which he overcame initial jitters during a memorable address that featured multiple standing ovations. Fans with No. 3 Iverson jerseys in the balcony cheered throughout.
Fighting tears throughout, Iverson thanked former Georgetown coach Thompson “for saving my life.”
“[After] the incident happened in high school and all that was taken away … no other schools would recruit me anymore,” Iverson recalled, referencing a racial brawl at a bowling alley that landed him in jail. His conviction in the case was later overturned.
“My mom went to Georgetown and begged [Thompson] to give me a chance. And he did.”
Get the rest of this report at ESPN.
WATCH Iverson’s speech below:
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